Pain relievers can upset stomach

May 22, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I’m a 32-year-old female in good health, on no regular medications (I take an occasional ibuprofen for headaches or pain), and am not overweight. I try to exercise at least three times a week. I am a new follower of your column and (as I’m sure you’ve heard many times before) love your common-sense advice and willingness to recommend alternative remedies.

I am writing about my mother (68, in good health) who has arthritis in her hips and cannot tolerate most pain-relievers because of a sensitive stomach. Do you have any recommendations for alternative or home remedy treatments that may help her? She keeps active and eats a balanced diet, but (as expected) the pain is slowly increasing as she ages.
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Black cherries to the rescue

March 22, 2012 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I started taking allopurinol about a year ago for gout with mixed success. I happened to mention having gout at my local gym about six weeks ago and was totally surprised to hear how many people have had it.

Then four people mentioned getting black cherry concentrate at the local health store at $17.00 for a three month supply. I cannot believe what a difference the cherry concentrate has made. My pain has been completely gone for the last month and I have been able to work out at the gym like I did before the gout started a year ago.

Thank you for the info on gout and keep your great medical column coming.
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Soap-under-the-sheets trick

September 11, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: My wife and I used to use the smaller bars of soaps from motels for leg cramps in bed; however, when we turned over, the bars were no longer under our legs and we would sometimes get cramps. We solved this by grating the soap directly onto the lower portion of the mattress under the sheet. It seems to work no matter where we lie on the mattress.

DEAR READER: Thank you for sharing this helpful tip. I am passing it on to my readers in the hopes that it will help some of them as well.

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Cold-sore remedies abound

April 30, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: I have noticed that a lot of people write to you about cold sores. Valtrex works to totally inhibit them. I have suffered from cold sores since the age of 4. When I was in my early 30s, the virus got out of hand and I was getting cold sores on a monthly basis. My dermatologist suggested I try 500 milligrams of Valtrex daily, and my cold sores completely stopped. I’ve had two cold sores in the 15 years since, both times after stopping the medication for about two to three weeks to see if I still needed it. My mother and brother also use Valtrex but on an “as needed” basis. They take it when they feel the tingling that comes before the sore. They take two 500-milligram tablets when they feel that tingle and then one 500-milligram tablet once a day for a week after that. Please tell your readers about this remedy.
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Is it the camphor that helps?

April 20, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: A columnist in my local paper claimed that you had endorsed Vicks VapoRub for treatment of nail fungus. She thought that the thymol found in the petroleum jelly was the answer. Several months ago, I tried Vicks on my minor case of nail fungus, with some success noted. My last experience with the smell of the vapors from this concoction was more than 30 years ago, when my children were young. I know the smell comes mostly from the eucalyptus oil; however, it brought back another, even older memory of when I was a child and my mother would put Campho-Phenique on a cold sore. Sure enough, camphor is one of the active ingredients in Vicks VapoRub. Much to my surprise, Campho-Phenique is still available at my drugstore in its pure form. Applied with a cotton swab, the camphor oil penetrated easily under and around the nail. Twice a day, and in very short order, my nail was clear. I would recommend using the active ingredient, camphor, full strength rather than dealing with the petroleum jelly. Is this safe?
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A review of home remedies

March 8, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: In a recent column, you referred to two possible cures for toenail fungus other than menthol salve. One was an over-the-counter product, and the other was a soaking agent. Could you please relate what these two potential cures are?

DEAR READER: The article to which you are probably referring can be found on my website at www.AskDrGottMD.com/nail-fungus-home-remedies.
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Constipation and arthritis home remedies

March 8, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Can you please reprint your colon cocktail and grape arthritis drink recipes? I clipped them out but seem to have misplaced them when I moved. Thank you.

DEAR READER: My colon cocktail is simply equal portions of applesauce, bran and prune juice. Take 1 or 2 tablespoons each morning to prevent and/or remedy constipation. Be sure to store any extra in the refrigerator. It is best to prepare it in small batches because it lasts only up to three or four days once mixed.
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Hair loss remedies

March 8, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Some time ago, you mentioned a specific shampoo that seemed to have hair-restorative properties. I forgot to write down the name of that shampoo and would like to know if you remember it. Thanks.

DEAR READER: You are likely referring to Tresemme Silk Protein Healthy Volume Shampoo and Tresemme Vitamin E Conditioner. Other readers have also had success with other types of Tresemme shampoos and conditioners that contain biotin and B vitamins.
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Colonel mustard to the rescue

February 19, 2011 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: For many years, I have had severe heartburn. I was diagnosed with a sliding hiatal hernia and was prescribed Nexium. Then I switched to Prilosec because of the exorbitant price of the first drug.

I tried to be health conscious and didn’t like taking drugs, so I attempted natural remedies, including calcium citrate mixed with AbsorbAid. Only the drugs worked.

Then two weeks ago, I stumbled on an article about the benefits of mustard for heartburn. It said to mix 2 teaspoons of mustard with a half glass of water at the first sign of heartburn. I stopped taking Prilosec and tried French’s mustard. I haven’t had heartburn since!
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Another ear-infection remedy

December 29, 2010 By

DEAR DR. GOTT: Have you ever heard of treating an ear infection with Burow’s solution? Are you supposed to mix it with vinegar and, if so, what is the proper mixture? Thanks for your help. I love your column.

DEAR READER: Burow’s solution is aluminum acetate or acetic acid (vinegar) in water that is used to reduce or relieve inflammatory conditions such as swelling, bruises, insect bites and rash caused by poison ivy or sumac. It is often applied as an eardrop remedy in a 13 percent solution because of antibacterial properties that inhibit the growth of bacteria. Some suppliers offer prepacked gauze compresses that are used in medical settings for stasis ulcers prior to the application of a dry, sterile dressing; however, because the solution is an acid (albeit weak), the time a compress is left on the wound must be adhered to. [Read more...]

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